Policeman found murdered

JAKARTA (JP): A policeman was found murdered at his home in the police housing complex in Cilangkap, East Jakarta, the City Police spokesman said yesterday.

Lt. Col. E. Aritonang said the victim, Sgt.Maj. Arsal Syarif, died after his throat was pierced by nails in his bedroom at about 1:30 a.m. yesterday. The victim was posted at the Cibinong police precinct, Bogor, West Java.

Police arrested 20-year-old Nur Ayi at 6:00 am for the murder. Nur worked as an assistant in Arsal's shop and lived in the same house, Aritonang said.

The suspect killed his master by stabbing him in the throat with two nails hooked to an electric charge, he added.

The police arrived at the crime scene at 4:00 a.m. following a report by the victim's neighbors who heard Arsal's wife scream for help.

"Where the victim's wife was at the time of the murder is still being investigated," Aritonang said, adding that Ayi was arrested at the victim's shop two hours later.

Police are holding Ayi at the Depok police precinct for further questioning.

Police believe the suspect committed the murder on someone else's instruction and that it was a crime of passion, but they could not give further details. (04)